later

LAY-tur/ˈleɪ.tɚ/UKLAY-tuh/ˈleɪ.tə/

Often confused with latter

7 meanings of later

1
after (a time)adverb
At a time after another time, or after the usual or expected time; afterward ('two years later'; 'later than promised').
The package arrived a full week later than the seller promised.
He went to bed much later than he had intended.
UsageWith a stretch of time it comes after: two years later. Later counts on from another time; ago counts back from now.
Similarafterwards, afterward
2
in the futureadverb
At a time in the future that is left vague or not yet fixed.
Let's discuss the budget later, once everyone has had lunch.
She said she would deal with the paperwork later.
UsageOn its own, use later (I'll do it later); after usually needs something to follow, as in after lunch.
Oppositenow
3
subsequentadjective
Coming after another time or event, or happening at some time in the future ('a later edition'; 'postponed to a later date').
The later editions of the book corrected several printing errors.
The hearing was moved to a later date because the judge was ill.
UsageNot the same as latter (the second of two). Before a noun it usually needs no than: a later edition.
4
adjective
Associated with the closing stage of a period, a lifetime or a career, not with its early part.
In the later years of the war, food shortages grew worse in the cities.
In his later years the painter worked slowly, finishing only a few canvases before he died.
UsageCommon in in later life and in her later years; often set against early: his early and later work.
Similarclosing, final
Oppositeearlier, early

Less common meanings

5
goodbyeinterjectionslang
A casual parting word meaning goodbye, clipped from 'see you later'.
'Later,' she called over her shoulder, already heading for the door.
The guys bumped fists and said 'Later' before splitting up for the night.
UsageFine with friends, often with a name or a word like dude after it (Later, dude); too breezy for a client or a formal email.
Similarbye, goodbye, cheers, ciao
Oppositehello, hi
Note
It is see you later cut down to its last word, and like the full phrase it need not mean the two will meet again.
6
after a distanceadjective
Farther along a route, used after a stated distance ('two miles later').
She passed the old mill, and several blocks later found the address.
The road forked at the river, and a quarter mile later reached the village.
UsageA distance usually comes first: two miles later, several blocks later.
Note
Distance borrows a time word here, and only in one frame. The phrase works because a runner or traveler meets the route as a sequence, so each stretch arrives after the last.
7
adverbManglishSinglish
'What if' or 'or else'; used to express concern that something undesirable or unexpected may happen.

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English later, from Old English lator (adverb) and lætra (adjective), formed from "late" plus "-er". It is related to Dutch later and German Low German later.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Later derives through Middle English from Old English lator as an adverb and lætra as an adjective, equivalent to late plus -er. en.wiktionary.org
Later is cognate with Dutch later and German Low German later. en.wiktionary.org